Head Of Major Gifts And Special Events Jobs in Westminster, Greater London
The purpose of the role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a crucial role in the theatre’s new Stories Start Here campaign, building on our successful major donor fundraising programme. As the key relationship manager for a portfolio of some of our closest and passionate supporters, the Major Gifts Manager makes a vital contribution to this growing income stream. By identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing major gifts of £25,000 and more, and working collaboratively across the department with other fundraising teams, there is lots of scope to build on your existing fundraising experience to develop an engaged and generous portfolio of major donors.
The successful candidate will have the following:
- Experience in a fundraising capacity, with a successful track record of meeting targets and personally soliciting and securing 5-figure+ philanthropic gifts.
- Evidence of relationship management to proactively develop a portfolio of prospects employing creative strategies to engage them.
- Demonstrable prospect research skills.
- Evidence of ability to write persuasively, and experience of creating compelling fundraising materials.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the necessary listening, facilitation, negotiation, and diplomatic skills to represent the NT, and to achieve immediate credibility and influence with high net worth individuals, and internal and external stakeholders.
If that sounds like you, this may be the role for you!
Working with us will give you...
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Complimentary staff tickets for shows and NT Talks and Events, subject to availability and policy.
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Discounts in the NT’s bars, cafes, restaurants, and bookshop, as well as in local businesses (from Wagamama to local childcare providers & gyms on and around the South Bank)
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Access to interest-free season ticket loan and Cyclescheme partnership
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Pension schemes with Legal & General and NEST
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Sabbatical option, subject to agreement and policy
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Generous sick pay
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Family-friendly employer with supporting policies
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Hybrid and flexible working, subject to agreement and policy
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Training and Development Programme via e-learning platform, and specialist in-person training relating to role.
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On-site Occupational Health and welfare support
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Free-to-access Employee Assistance Programme, enabling counselling and mental wellbeing support, financial and legal advice, and advice on caring responsibilities.
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On-site staff canteen and bar
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Staff networks including Amplified: The Ethnically Diverse Network; Disability Staff Network; LGBTQ+ Network; Parents and Parents & Carers Network
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The NT is also a member of Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts (PiPA)
Please note
The closing date for the receipt of a completed application is Monday 8th April 2024 at 12 noon.
We support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies.
People Department 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
1. About Us
Sound and Music is the national charity for new music.
We support anyone who wants to make music and sound to shape the modern world. We enable individuals to challenge expectations and discover their potential, and act as a friendly guide for those who want to listen deeper. Our work sustains more careers, progresses creativity and achieves greater equity across music in the UK.
We are guided by our Fair Access Principles, a code of best practice which ensures our work is open and inclusive for all.
Sound and Music is supported by Arts Council England and proud to be a National Youth Music Organisation.
The creative programme for Sound and Music makes a unique and distinctive contribution to the arts in the UK. We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England. NPO funding is confirmed until March 2026.
Sound and Music is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to making recruitment and employment at Sound and Music inclusive and accessible. We particularly welcome applications from backgrounds that experience racism, and/or who are disabled or neurodiverse, to whom we will offer an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role (see section 4).
2. Job Description
The Head of External Engagement is a key leadership post within the organisation. The role encompasses responsibility for the development and delivery of the organisation’s external activity, including profile, brand identity and stakeholder engagement (including the public), fundraising, and driving income generation in new areas, notably commercial partnerships. It also forms part of Sound and Music’s senior management team, who under the leadership of the Chief Executive are responsible for overseeing the organisation’s programme of activity, strategic development, external profile and a positive and productive organisational culture.
An experienced fundraiser and communicator, you will lead the external engagement team and support the delivery of its strategic and operational plans. The broad remit of the role means the successful candidate will be a strong and confident communicator who builds networks easily and prioritises exceptional stakeholder management and relationship development.
Sound and Music operates a hybrid working model with a mix of in person and remote working, so we welcome applications from anywhere in the UK. Our office is in London and the minimum requirement will be to attend one day per week.
The post holder will support Sound and Music’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, contributing to a culture of respect and collaboration in the organisation’s internal and external activities.
3. Key Responsibilities
Leadership and management
External leadership:
· Represent Sound and Music publicly, including through stakeholder and supporter events
· Work with the Head of Programmes to ensure Sound and Music’s advisory groups are meaningfully engaged
· Be the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sound and Music
Internal leadership:
· Shared strategic responsibility and accountability for Sound and Music’s three core aims and their associated objectives, outcomes and outputs
· Shared accountability (with other senior management colleagues) for the successful delivery and implementation of the organisation’s Business Plan
· Lead the organisation’s External Engagements team. This team includes a Communications and Insights Manager and Fundraising Coordinator (both line managed by the Head of External Engagement) plus support from other Sound and Music team members
Development and fundraising
· Develop and support the Chief Executive on the overall business and development strategy for the organisation to ensure we meet fundraising targets (£200k in 2024-25) for annual programmes and major projects
· Develop an ambitious fundraising programme which builds our supporter base and individual funding streams, including individuals, major gifts and public funders
· Drive income growth by identifying and negotiating commercial partnerships and contribute to the development of an enhanced commercial mindset across the organisation
· Develop and cultivate the existing trusts and foundations pipeline
· Prepare documents and reports for key funders including Arts Council England
· Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with key funders, commercial organisations and stakeholders and cultivate existing relationships within the organisation
· Establish new income streams, for example, by maximising the intellectual property created within the organisation
· Engage the Board of Trustees and senior management team in fundraising activities and the ongoing strategy to optimise donor management and stewardship to develop a culture of fundraising across the organisation
· Maximise the opportunities provided by the new CRM system and contribute to the development of a data-led mindset across the organisation
Communications and campaigns
· Develop and lead the overall communications and reputation management strategy for varied stakeholders to ensure we increase our visibility and influence in the sector
· Support the Chief Executive to build the profile of our brand, drive the media messaging and oversee and power our content media campaigns
· Support the Chief Executive to build and maintain positive and productive relationships with government and culture and media opinion formers
Strategy and planning
· Work with the Chief Executive and other senior management team members to monitor, evaluate and review KPIs, strategies and activity so as to maximise Sound and Music’s impact. This includes reporting and presenting to the Board and externally to help build engagement and relationships in the sector and with funders
· Assess the reputational, financial, delivery and other risks associated with current and new projects and partnerships
· Empower, model, support and encourage cross-team working to realise the full income generating possibilities of projects
Finance and governance
· Contribute to creating and monitoring the overall organisation budget
· Work closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Programmes and Finance Manager to formulate financial strategy against specified budget areas, and to ensure that the programme activity is sufficiently resourced, planned and delivered to budget
· Ensure close monitoring of income and expenditure for relevant budget lines and contribute to senior management team financial planning and review
· Attend Board and Financial Subcommittee meetings to present and report impact on a quarterly basis
Special conditions of the post
· Travel within the UK, as required by the role
· A willingness to represent the organisation internationally on an occasional basis
· Evening and weekend working to attend and network at events will be required (time off in lieu is taken afterwards)
· Satisfactory completion of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (if offered the role, and paid for by Sound and Music)
4. Candidate profile
Essential:
· A demonstrable commitment to Sound and Music’s vision, mission and values
· A track record of generating income across different channels, meeting targets, with the ability and experience to manage and develop long-term and sustained fundraising relationships (for example, with major donors and trusts and foundations)
· Leadership (a strong combination of these are essential):
· A track record of leadership, including leading or working at a senior level in an organisation during a period of growth and change
· Excellent team leadership skills, with high emotional intelligence and generosity, a genuine enthusiasm for encouraging the input and ideas of others
· Strong budgeting and financial planning skills, and the ability to work collaboratively on this
· An entrepreneurial mindset: success in leveraging income, developing new income streams and value through commercial acumen and effective strategic partnership building
· A track record in championing and addressing under-representation in culture and a deep-rooted commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable:
· Experience of increasing brand profile, developing brand awareness, and expanding audiences for a specialist product or service
· Understanding of the current political, economic, social and technological climate, including the context for culture and public funding and an active engagement with technological developments in creativity
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: able to engage confidently with different audiences and areas of the sector both publicly and on a 1:1 basis
· Excellent understanding of digital communications and infrastructure and how it can build reach and engagement, including using data to drive decision making
5. How to apply
If you are interested in working with us, please apply by completing the application form.
Sound and Music is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to making recruitment and employment at Sound and Music inclusive and accessible. We particularly welcome applications from backgrounds that experience racism, and/or who are disabled or neurodiverse, to whom we will offer an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self-motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
JOB SUMMARY
- Defines and leads the Charity’s strategies for income development and growth, through a mix of traditional fundraising and marketing, as well as new initiatives;
- Creates and nurtures relationships (new and existing) with key stakeholders, organisations and individuals to secure philanthropic support and maximise income.
- Key member of Grief Encounter’s Senior Leadership Team (SMT), responsible for both developing and implementing strategic initiatives to generate income and for raising awareness of the Charity’s work and extending our reach.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides leadership for all fundraising, income development and marketing activity within the Charity by:
Staffing:
- Providing leadership and direct line management support to Assistant Directors and Seniors within the Income Growth & Development team
- Leading and developing a team of experienced fundraisers and the marketing lead, to sustain, develop and grow a range of fundraising, marketing and other initiatives to maximise income from new and existing sources.
Planning and Management
- Implementing and executing the annual Fundraising, Business Development and Marketing Plans to meet targets. Prepare and presents regular reports on progress towards income generation goals, to CEO, then Board of Trustees.
- Monitoring income and managing departmental budgets. Analyses of all fundraising activities, events, including a robust patronage programme as well as funding campaigns, for excellent return on investment,
- To embed a culture for learning, that celebrate successes, encourages feedback and identifies areas for improvement.
Brand and Marketing
- Expanding and diversifying supporter reach and engagement to further enhance the return and reputation of the charity nationally, creating strong ‘brand awareness’ of all areas of our work.
- Overseeing the creation and management of Grief Encounter’s messaging and branding across all platforms. Ensures consistency and clarity across print, digital, social media content and all public relations.
- Conducting extensive research to develop new marketing opportunities and overseeing evaluation of existing processes.
Fundraising Management and Income Generation
- Ensuring income projections are accurate and timely, embracing a culture of performance and ambition.
- Embedding processes to support swift identification of opportunities, as well as timely mobilisation of progress with identified plans.
- On-going review and identification of new Grants and Trust opportunities of significant interest to the Charity. Ensures robust and timely applications, including ones for creative growth and development opportunities, are submitted by team and that outcomes/learning is shared for future improvements.
- Developing and leading on other strategic plans and initiatives with support from SMT and colleagues, to create other new revenue generation opportunities for the charity.
Events and Campaigns
- Planning and overseeing the execution of flagship events (e.g. Gala Dinner) with the Head of Fundraising (Special Events) and ensures support from other colleagues across the Charity.
- Building cross-departmental staff involvement in all fundraising events and income generating initiatives. Working closely with SMT colleagues to regularly update initiatives and share developments, both within Grief Encounter and more widely in the sector.
- Exhibiting a high level of visibility by attending a range of income generating events and functions throughout the year.
Digital Fundraising and Engagement
- Development and drive appropriate digital marketing campaigns across a range of social media platforms to engage supporters and increase donations.
Relationship Management
- Nurturing existing relationships and long standing supported to ensure stability for regular giving is well maintained.
- Networking and maintaining regular contact with an expanding portfolio of philanthropists, and major gift donors and prospects to build strong relationships, negotiate a wide range of on-going opportunities for support as well as partnerships.
- Managing relationships with external agencies to maximise return on investment.
- Supervising and providing advice for other relationship management within the team.
This job description will be reviewed as necessary to meet the needs of the service on no less than an annual basis in consultation with the post holder.
This post is subject to pre-employment checks and an enhanced DBS search
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
- Degree level education/equivalent.
- Recognised relevant professional qualification in Fundraising/income generation or qualified by extensive relevant experience.
Skills & Experience
- Previous role as a Director of Income Generation or similar position.
- Previous experience of working within a similar agency, ideally but not exclusive to the child bereavement world.
- Highly level of numeracy with excellent understanding of budget and resource planning.
- Proven donor management and income generation skills.
- Superb written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent presentation skills together with the ability to pitch ideas and applications to a highly professional standard and to support others to do so.
- Strong understanding of income generation and business growth, including knowledge of grant and trust identification and application processes and event management.
- Leadership and team management skills with the ability to build a performance culture in a supportive and encouraging manner.
- Ability to actively listen, seek information, and ask questions to ensure the understanding of underlying concerns of others.
- Project management ability.
- Ability to raise interest in and promote the Charity’s work and to nurture others to do the same.
- Understanding of marketing techniques and processes including use of digital ad social media platforms.
- Proactive collaborating and networking skills to work across diverse stakeholder groups
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
- Tactfulness to professionally handle ambiguous and complex situations.
- Politically astute; is able to read situations appropriately and exhibit sound judgement.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise/organize a busy and varied workload to meet work deadlines.
Personal qualities
- Entrepreneurial. Devises new approaches and assesses effectiveness.
- Respectful, non-judgemental and empathic.
- Sets clear expectations, enthuses, encourages and supports others to achieve goals.
- Demonstrates respect for confidentiality and boundaries.
- Takes ownership and shows commitment to organisational excellence.
- Resilient and tenacious.
- Flexible, pro-active and open attitude to work.
- Able to work outside normal office hours as necessary. (Events, donor meetings etc.)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.